I just test drove an Aviator and the 2020 GLS 450 AMA

Kinja'd!!! "WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
11/06/2019 at 16:18 • Filed to: Aviator, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, GLS, unnecessary car shopping without E90M3

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Unicorn pictured ( at least in the Chicago area).

Verdict - I like both a lot, especially the Aviator.

No, I’m not buying one, but my wife wants a 3rd row...


DISCUSSION (49)


Kinja'd!!! sm70- why not Duesenberg? > WilliamsSW
11/06/2019 at 16:28

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I love both, but man the new Lincoln lineup seems to have upped its game. If you had to pick now, which and why?


Kinja'd!!! Tapas > WilliamsSW
11/06/2019 at 16:30

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Then Navigator it is! Lol


Kinja'd!!! MrSnrub > WilliamsSW
11/06/2019 at 16:37

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What was the price difference?


Kinja'd!!! WilliamsSW > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
11/06/2019 at 16:37

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Lincoln really has. I would choose the Lincoln. I have some concerns about reliability, and the electronic door openers seem like an answer to a question no one asked, but:

- moaaaaahhh powaaaahhh.   Advertised as 400 v 362, but the Lincoln felt quite a bit quicker

- The Mercedes feels reasonably car like (and light years ahead of her RX350), but the Lincoln really is car like. Pretty balanced, not boaty, no brake dive, and even decent in transition

- Mercedes has better engine noises and a smoother trans, but not a big difference

- Both had great seats, Mercedes was MB Tex of course.

- Mercedes had the full glass panel which was nicer than the Lincoln, but both have great infotainment setups. I did not try to really use either one, but the screens were great.

It was the driving dynamics that put Lincoln over to me. And it’s $10k cheaper as tested (66k v 75k).


Kinja'd!!! Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Tapas
11/06/2019 at 16:38

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the aviator has a 3rd row


Kinja'd!!! WilliamsSW > Tapas
11/06/2019 at 16:39

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No way my wife would get a Navigator.

Both of these had 3rd rows that real people could use.


Kinja'd!!! WilliamsSW > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
11/06/2019 at 16:40

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And a reasonably roomy one, for 2 people.


Kinja'd!!! WilliamsSW > MrSnrub
11/06/2019 at 16:42

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About 7 k as tested ( I misspoke in an earlier comment). 68k v 75k.

Lincoln was a Reserve 1, GLS didn’t have much on it, but was well equipped.

I didn’t study stickers, but the one obvious difference was the pano roof on the Aviator.


Kinja'd!!! fintail > WilliamsSW
11/06/2019 at 16:51

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I stopped by the local MB dealer over the weekend, they had 2 new GLS. A fairly loaded one at 89K, and an absolute base one at something like 72K - it even had “credit for standard features not included” or something similar, never seen a credit option on a MB before. Amusingly enough,the loaded one was sitting outside dirty (probably fresh off a truck), while the sparse model was on the showroom floor.

Not my kind of thing, but I can imagine the Lincoln is nice too.  As others mention, they are really trying.  A friend of mine is on his second MKZ and loves those too.


Kinja'd!!! HoustonRunner > WilliamsSW
11/06/2019 at 16:57

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I have a deep want for a new Navigator.  I think Lincoln nailed the design for their new SUVs.  If I could convince myself to spend that coin I'd have one.


Kinja'd!!! WilliamsSW > HoustonRunner
11/06/2019 at 17:01

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The Aviator is gorgeous - in and out.

But driving it really impressed me.

Navigator is nice but too bigly for us.  


Kinja'd!!! HammerheadFistpunch > WilliamsSW
11/06/2019 at 17:06

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I hear great...and terrible things about the new Aviator.  Great in design, refinement, power and speed.  Terrible in terms of build issues.  


Kinja'd!!! WilliamsSW > fintail
11/06/2019 at 17:08

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They had 2 new GLS that I saw. One that I drove was out front and was 75k. The other one had that same “credit” you saw and was ~73k. Weird.

Glass panel on the new GLS is amazing.

I liked the GLS a lot but was REALLY impressed by the A viator.


Kinja'd!!! someoneatacura > WilliamsSW
11/06/2019 at 17:09

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Wasn’t there a bunch of reports about the aviator being a hot mess?

https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2019/10/as-consumer-complaints-mount-lincolns-aviator-appears-not-fully-baked/


Kinja'd!!! Chariotoflove > WilliamsSW
11/06/2019 at 17:10

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Did you assume the McConaughey  P osition while driving it, and did you feel any sudden urges to say, “alright alright!”?


Kinja'd!!! WilliamsSW > HammerheadFistpunch
11/06/2019 at 17:10

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I can confirm the first parts, but yes, build issues scare me, and make me hesitant to put my wife in one. 


Kinja'd!!! WilliamsSW > someoneatacura
11/06/2019 at 17:12

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Yeah, see HHFPs comment also.  That’s the wild card, but it drives fantastic.


Kinja'd!!! fintail > WilliamsSW
11/06/2019 at 17:13

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I wonder if there was a supplier problem for some of the excluded features. I’d have guessed those cars would be destined for fleets, as I know at least Hertz and Sixt has GLS in the lineup.

Widescreen LED gauges are now a thing in all US market MBs but C-class and derivatives, I think. Even the A has them standard. The awkward looking standard analog gauges in the E are effectively gone for MY 2020, as widescreen is now part of the basic “premium” package that has traditionally been a default option and only excluded via special order.

I feel wifey giving some pressure soon :)


Kinja'd!!! Tapas > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
11/06/2019 at 17:43

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Yeah but it’s no bueno.

The seat is so close to the floor, you might as well sit criss cross applesauce back there.


Kinja'd!!! WilliamsSW > Chariotoflove
11/06/2019 at 18:08

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Hmmm, no I did not.

That must be the build quality issues that HHFP mentioned, I guess?


Kinja'd!!! Chariotoflove > WilliamsSW
11/06/2019 at 18:11

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Well, just remember to say it when you sign and take it home.


Kinja'd!!! WilliamsSW > fintail
11/06/2019 at 18:11

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You mean my wife or yours?  As far as mine goes, this is all part of an effort to find something (anything really) other than another RX350 that she will like.  I despise that thing, but she is already talking about swapping it for the RX-L because 3rd row.


Kinja'd!!! WilliamsSW > Chariotoflove
11/06/2019 at 18:13

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As long as it doesn’t result in my wife going home with Matthew McConaughey I’ll be ok.  


Kinja'd!!! someoneatacura > WilliamsSW
11/06/2019 at 18:17

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Yeah, and t ha t PHEV model looks sweet

but it’s also like 100 grand.


Kinja'd!!! dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > WilliamsSW
11/06/2019 at 18:44

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Is that one a RWD Aviator?

What was your favorite feature from both?


Kinja'd!!! Nibby > WilliamsSW
11/06/2019 at 19:04

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have you considered the XC90

/slight bia s


Kinja'd!!! MrSnrub > WilliamsSW
11/06/2019 at 19:13

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Wow, less difference than I expected. In that case I’m not sure which one I’d rather go for...


Kinja'd!!! WilliamsSW > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
11/06/2019 at 19:34

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Winner winner chicken dinner!!

Yeah the sales guy told me that’s why it’s in the showroom. I told him good luck selling that, and he said it was “ trade bait”. As in they hope to trade it with a dealer in a warmer climate.

Chassis dynamics for the Lincoln - I was shocked at how well it handled for a bigly SUV, but still rides nice.

Glass panel for the Merc.


Kinja'd!!! WilliamsSW > Nibby
11/06/2019 at 19:35

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  This is just the beginning, and the XC90 is definitely on the test drive list. Love their interiors. 


Kinja'd!!! Nibby > WilliamsSW
11/06/2019 at 19:45

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my cousin has one and i’ve driven it a bunch... really really nice car for the money


Kinja'd!!! WilliamsSW > Nibby
11/06/2019 at 20:23

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I’ll definitely be test driving one.  It fits what we need perfectly in theory. 


Kinja'd!!! fintail > WilliamsSW
11/06/2019 at 20:54

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Yours. I’m single (and not complaining), so I can drive what I want so long as I can pay for it . If I was attached, the better half could pick what they want as well, but they’d also get to contri bute to it :)

The RX is like a designer handbag on wheels, it is a magnet for a large demographic.


Kinja'd!!! WilliamsSW > fintail
11/06/2019 at 21:14

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I sort of get the attraction- it’s a luxury vehicle for people who hate cars and driving.

You know, like most Toyota products these days.  


Kinja'd!!! fintail > WilliamsSW
11/06/2019 at 21:23

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Funny, that’s a line I use about Tesla, but the RX is a degree more in that direction.

I have always kind of liked the first RX, but spiraled into dull fast and now is kind of a Stepfordian stereotype.


Kinja'd!!! WilliamsSW > fintail
11/06/2019 at 21:31

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I’ve driven the Model S.  It’s not my cup of tea, but I can see why some people love it.  It’s certainly more of a drivers car than the RX.


Kinja'd!!! fintail > WilliamsSW
11/06/2019 at 23:29

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The instant torque is satisfying, but the styling and material/build quality doesn’t please me, not to mention the cult and the image.

Toyolex knows how to find and retain a customer demographic.


Kinja'd!!! robert d > Nibby
11/07/2019 at 05:07

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I would never buy a chinese car


Kinja'd!!! robert d > Nibby
11/07/2019 at 05:08

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It is cheap because it is made in china


Kinja'd!!! Pikachujustdroppedoneinthemiddleofthelivingroom > Nibby
11/07/2019 at 13:54

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Who would choose a Chinese owned company? Love how Americans are so liberal, yet throw out their value system based on wallet and luxury. Concentration camps and communism ok with us as long as you provide a good value.


Kinja'd!!! Pikachujustdroppedoneinthemiddleofthelivingroom > WilliamsSW
11/07/2019 at 13:56

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Does it fit with your beliefs and value system? Chinese owned.


Kinja'd!!! Pikachujustdroppedoneinthemiddleofthelivingroom > WilliamsSW
11/07/2019 at 14:10

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3 sentence read? Odd. Drove the aviator a week ago in black label. Wife and I loved the interior, info graphics and systems was simple and intuitive. Digital screen sticks out similar to old g wagon, yet does not obstruct view. 3rd row is electric only and 1 seat would not go down and salesman did not know how to get it down manually. Do not believe possible from my attempts as well. Looks great, interior top notch, engine was loud! This was my real issue. Shouldn't be at that price point, or at least sound as if it isn't struggling.  More interested in hybrid model.


Kinja'd!!! Pikachujustdroppedoneinthemiddleofthelivingroom > MrSnrub
11/07/2019 at 14:13

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We're  in same boat. Yet think we’re going American thinking supporting American co. and workers...costs potentially less long-term with European parts proven exceptionally expensive.


Kinja'd!!! ihm96 > fintail
11/07/2019 at 15:34

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Yeah we had one come in with a credit for missing parktronic. Benz has been having a lot of part shortages recently it seems.

The new 2020 CLA has no Keyless Go available till January *facepalms*


Kinja'd!!! fintail > ihm96
11/07/2019 at 16:11

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I wonder what’s going on. This has happened before - I know surround view is quite rare on MY 2016 E, and it is hard to find otherwise loaded earlier W213s with widescreen.

The keyless go and parktronic omissions would make me want to stop selling the cars, or offer them to fleets.  Those will impact cachet for the new owners.  I think the credit/delete GLS I saw was missing something in the ICE, and had basic headlights.


Kinja'd!!! Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > WilliamsSW
11/07/2019 at 16:16

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“No, I’m not buying one, but my wife wants a 3rd row...”

If she wants a 3rd row, take her to the movies.

She can have a 3rd, 4th, 5th and many more rows there!

/jk


Kinja'd!!! ihm96 > fintail
11/07/2019 at 16:40

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I think the GLS nowadays only has LEDs, there is no basic headlight. The only ones I’ve seen were missing parktronic.

The widescreen thing was a big production issue, they just didn’t have enough.


Kinja'd!!! fintail > ihm96
11/07/2019 at 16:58

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I think this didn’t have the adaptive function, or something similar. But I am 98% certain the “credit option” mentioned something with lighting. Unfortunately, while many dealers put a mock-up of the window sticker on their site listings, mine does not.

When I was shopping for a replacement for my ending W212 lease, it was a pain finding cars with widescreen, which was a must-have. I eventually found the right car. It appears for MY 2020 widescreen is included in the basic premium package, finally.


Kinja'd!!! WilliamsSW > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
11/07/2019 at 17:13

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It’s a bit of a sore subject with me, but I’ve decided I don’t care too much, as long as it’s her car.

I’m 5’9”. She’s about 5’3”.  We have a 3 year old and a 5 month old, and we’re not having any more.  That doesn’t scream “3rd row” to me...


Kinja'd!!! dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > WilliamsSW
11/07/2019 at 20:16

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Just tell her to drive the Pathfinder , I’m sure she’d love that.

Unless you sold it, of course.